‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
30. Nay, father Abraham. This is a personification, as we have said, which expresses rather the feelings of the living than the anxiety of the dead. The doctrine of the Law is little esteemed by the world, the Prophets are neglected, and no man submits to hear God speaking in his own manner.
As the parable of the prodigal son set before us the grace of the gospel, which is encouraging to us all, so this sets before us the wrath to come, and is designed for our awakening; and very fast asleep those are in sin that will not be awakened by it.
Commenting on Luke 16:19-31
And he said unto him..... That is, Abraham said unto him, as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions express it: if they hear not Moses and the prophets; as they did not, nor regarded what they said of Christ, but disbelieved both him and them: neither will they be persuaded: or brought to repent and believe; though one rose from the dead; as Christ did...